A level Music recital evenings – a celebration of excellence

With so many talented pupils taking A level Music, we were thrilled to split our annual recital evening across two nights, allowing each performer the time and space to showcase their hard work.

Exceptional vocal performances from Olga, Sophia, Reva, Milan, Tilly, Rory, and Emily captivated the audience, while Sophie’s expressive clarinet playing and Inez’s masterful classical guitar added further depth to the programme.

Each pupil delivered a 15-minute recital at Grade 8 standard, demonstrating their technical ability and musical maturity to secure the best possible marks. From Brazilian folk music to romantic instrumental works, German Lieder to A Night in Tunisia, the breadth of repertoire was outstanding.

Well done to all involved!

Pupils run charity fashion swap evening

On Tuesday afternoon, Milly P, Sophia P, and Romilly H hosted a successful pre-loved charity swap shop.

The event, which the girls created, organised, and ran, forms one of the projects for their Level 3 Environmental Leadership qualification through Gresham’s GAPS. The initiative aims to promote positive environmental change.

The girls sought to raise awareness of the social and environmental issues linked to the fashion industry, especially fast fashion, and to encourage both pupils and staff to reconsider their consumer habits.

All funds raised will be donated to the school charity. This event marks the beginning of a series of themed swap shop projects the pupils will be organising, with the theme for this event being formal/evening wear.

Cross Country 2025


It has been a great season for Gresham’s cross country. The team has swelled in members, and it has been great to witness a strong community, encouraging success on the course. We have been able to field strong teams in each category and there have been battles at the front and in the mid-field during competitions. The team has been able to bring home six of the ten trophies they competed for.

The Juniors were once again represented by Alfie C and Zac D who, though have made excellent progress this season, have faced very tough competition in each of their fixtures.

Lottie H put in a very strong performance, finishing in the top two in all races, and gaining the season individual award. Supported by a strong team, the senior girls also won the team shield.

The inter-boys was dominated by Theo H, who won all bar the last race of the season, securing the individual award. He was supported by some strong inter-runners and Gresham’s was able to bring home the team shield for the inter-category.

Finally, the senior boys was a Gresham’s ‘one, two battle’, between Tim A and Seb W. They worked well at the front, and took an equal number of wins between them. However, the individual shield was awarded to Tim A, as his lowest finish was a second and Seb W was a third. They also secured the senior boys team trophy.

Year 12 attend Gresham’s Business Breakfast

On Tuesday, as part of National Careers Week, all Year 12 pupils had the invaluable opportunity to attend the Gresham’s Business Breakfast, an event designed to enhance their networking skills and introduce them to a diverse range of local businesses. The morning was filled with energy and enthusiasm as pupils engaged in conversations, gaining first-hand knowledge about career pathways, job roles, work experience opportunities, and the importance of professional networking.

This event served as a crucial stepping stone in preparing our pupils for the world of work, encouraging them to build connections and develop their confidence to seek out opportunities. 

Thanks goes to all the businesses who generously gave their time to support and inspire the next generation of employees and entrepreneurs. It was a truly enriching and inspiring morning.

World Book Day: Literary Bake Off

All in the spirit of World Book Day, Gresham’s hosted its annual ‘The Great Gresham’s Literary Bake Off’, which saw creative bakers and avid readers unite to produce some wonderfully whacky and delectable literary treats.

The judges were impressed by all entrants: their level of teamwork, their commitment to their designs and the celebration of their chosen text from the literary world. Each of the competitors thoroughly conquered the challenge of ‘ready…steady… BAKE!’                                                                                                            

And the results were:

  • Special mention: Amir R and Alexander T, both from Farfield, for their Of Mice and Men inspired ‘Lennie’s rabbit’ cake.
  • 1st Place for ‘Taste’: Grace S, Oakeley for her Lord of the Rings inspired delicious lemon drizzle cupcakes.
  • 1st Place for ‘Link to the Literary brief’: Grace C, from Oakeley for her Alice in Wonderland, beautifully executed ‘down the rabbit hole’ inspired cake.
  • Overall winner: Grace C for her ‘Alice in Wonderland’ inspired cake. Grace’s artistic flare and attention to detail was incredible. Congratulations!

Thank you again to all those keen bakers who took part, your tasty treats were enjoyed by many of the Gresham’s pupils and staff alike.

Schola Cantorum deliver a memorable Mozart’s Requiem

Mozart’s Requiem is a worldwide choral group favourite. The work has not been performed at Gresham’s for several years, however, Thursday’s performance by Schola Cantorum, singing both chorus and solo parts alongside a professional orchestra, reminded us all why this work should stay firmly within the School’s choral repertoire. 

The first half featured several standalone pieces, secular and sacred, old and contemporary, showcasing the musical ability of our pupils in both ensemble and solo format. Esenvalds’ rather ethereal Only in Sleep and Faure’s little heard Ave Maria duet provided the perfect platform for soloists Zinny B and Naomi H-S. Reva S was the soloist in the very listenable How do you keep the music playing. Crickets, the Sixth Form vocal group, performed three pieces, taking us up to the interval.

Having enjoyed refreshments supplied by FOGs, the audience settled down for what was a wonderful performance of the Requiem. From the opening bars of the 14-piece orchestra, the performers took us into the sound world of Mozart. Beautifully executed solos, and a performance paying full attention to the need for everchanging dynamics, the full force of the Dies Irae so well contrasted with the quieter, legato singing of the Hostias and the emotion of the Lacrimosa. 

Special mention must be made to the soloists – Ilana B, Tilly R, Mia W, Fergus R, Sebastian C, Reva S, Sophie L, Josh K, Kai S, Sophia P, Olga B, Benny S, Dougie L, Zinny B and Emily M and congratulations to all members of Schola for an exceptional evening in Chapel.

The final word goes to Matthew C in Year 9, who confidently sat in the Violin 2 seat for the Requiem surrounded by our professional players.

International Snack Share returns

Back by popular request, the Lent term saw the return of the Gresham’s International Snack Share. Pupils and staff were encouraged to bring international treats from their homes or travel to be shared with the school community. The idea being to share different cultural tastes and influences and prompt some discussions, all while enjoying tasty sweet and savoury snacks.

A snack box containing an array of treats from Germany, Spain, Japan, India, Switzerland, Singapore and more was sent to each house for pupils to enjoy. As well as it being a chance for many to try something new, it was also an opportunity for some of our international pupils to enjoy a taste from home.

Gresham’s Giving Day 2025

The Gresham’s Foundation will launch its second ever giving day on the 12th and 13th of March 2025. Gresham’s Giving Day 2025 will be another opportunity for the School community (Old Greshamians, current and former parents and Friends) to come together to celebrate what makes Gresham’s special and donate to help widen access to a Gresham’s education. 

Similar to the first giving day in 2023, the campaign will focus on promoting and seeking support for the School’s Bursary Programme. Supporting young people and their families who require bursarial provision is a longstanding and key charitable objective at the School and has been since its founding in 1555. Donations to the Foundation’s Bursary Fund before and during Gresham’s Giving Day 2025 will make a difference and give young people the chance to attend the School and make the most of a Gresham’s education. 

Thank you to those who have already donated, we appreciate your contribution. If you would like to donate early, your donation will be matched, doubling the value of your gift. You can make a donation by following this link.

Keep an eye on social media and email communications in the lead up to and on 12th and 13th March. There will be lots going on at Gresham’s.

Thank you for your support! 

THE IMPACT OF A GRESHAM’S EDUCATION

Holocaust survivor Malka shares memoir insights with Sixth Formers

As part of Women’s History Month and in the lead-up to International Women’s Day, we had the profound honour of welcoming Holocaust survivor Malka Levine to Gresham’s School. In conversation with our Head of History, Mr. Kinder, Malka shared insights from her deeply moving memoir, A Mother’s Courage, recounting how she and her two siblings survived the Holocaust.

Her story is a deeply moving tribute to her mother’s unwavering bravery, resilience, and sacrifice—risking everything to save her children. Malka’s testimony was both powerful and impactful, leaving a lasting impression on our Sixth Form pupils and staff.

We extend our thanks to Malka for sharing her remarkable story with us. It was a privilege to hear her speak.

Careers and Languages with Emily Lusty

Mrs Emily Lusty, the inspiring force behind The Language Gap, travelled to Gresham’s to talk to Year 9 and 11 pupils about languages and the opportunities available to them through Language Gap travel experiences.  

Emily has a wealth of experience in helping young people create bespoke travel opportunities which not only help them develop value character traits but also give them the edge in a competitive higher education and jobs market. Pupils were able to reflect on how travelling enables them to develop their empathic ability, a key trait when working in business and forging relationships, and on how being aware and appreciative of cultural differences is imperative in successfully navigating a globalised world.

Pupils heard about the array of trips that Emily has arranged, from conservation projects in Columbia, horse-riding in Ecuador, through to football coaching in Ghana and scuba diving in St Lucia.

This inspiring session reinforced the importance of linguistic curiosity and the exciting pathways that languages can unlock. Pupils were reminded of the superb international community that they are part of here at Gresham’s and of how and why language learning and travel is essential in shaping a successful and enriching future for themselves.